Entertainment docking system and device

ABSTRACT

An entertainment docking system includes a base having an upper end and a lower end; a post having an upper end and a lower end extending from the lower end of the base wherein the lower end of the post is removably secured to the lower end of the base. A tray is removably mounted to the post above the base. A holder is removably mounted to the upper end of the post. An entertainment docking system has a base; a tapered locking shaft having twist and lock ridges formed thereon and the shaft has a lower end secured to the base. A tray is removably attached to the shaft having mounting twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the twist and lock ridges of the post. A holder is removably attached to an upper end of the shaft and has mating twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperate with the twist and lock ridges of the post.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No.61/545,749 filed on Oct. 11, 2011 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. Moreparticularly, it relates to an entertainment docking system designed toprovide multiple entertainment amenities in an organized and accessiblefashion. There is a need to provide customers with a convenientall-in-one solution that simplifies the task of dispensing and supplyingitems during populated or entertainment events, such as outdooractivities, games, or home parties. Current products on the marketprovide multiple entertainment amenities, however not in a singlesystem. The alternative to using the entertainment docking system isproviding each entertainment amenity separately, which takes up morespace, is more timely and costly, and requires more personal resourcesto manage.

Thus, there is a need for an integrated entertainment docking systemwhich overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies and other whileproviding better results.

Furthermore, it is desired to provide selected entertainment amenitiesin a single system that is adapted to a particular outing or function.For this reason, the entertainment docking system is adjustable andversatile to provide a selected combination of entertainment amenitiesdepending on the particular event. Combinations of entertainmentamenities are disclosed for a particular range of events.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. Inaccordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an entertainment dockingsystem has an ice chest, which serves as a base of the entertainmentsystem, and a taper lock shaft, which is located in the center of theice chest and projects upwardly approximately three to five feet.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the taper lockshaft is tapered to enable different entertainment amenities to bedocked or undocked through a plurality of twist and lock or friction fittype seals.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an ice chest has atop lid.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an ash tray and atop holder are positioned and fastened onto an upper end of the taperlock shaft.

Another aspect of the disclosure is it is particularly fit for outdoorparties, which benefit from a mobile cooling unit and support structuresfor cooling and/or holding beverages and other items. However, thisembodiment may also be used for different types of events.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an entertainmentdocking system has a base having an upper end and a lower end; a posthaving an upper end and a lower end extending from the lower end of thebase wherein the lower end of the post is removably secured to the lowerend of the base; a tray removably mounted to the post above the base;and a holder removably mounted to the upper end of the post.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, anentertainment docking system has a base; a tapered locking shaft havingtwist and lock ridges formed thereon and the shaft has a lower endsecured to the base; a tray removably attached to the shaft havingmounting twist and lock openings having recesses therein to cooperatewith the ridges of the shaft; and a holder removably attached to anupper end of the shaft having mating twist and lock openings havingrecesses therein to cooperate with the ridges of the shaft.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon a reading andunderstanding of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theentertainment docking system;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an upper holder from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the upper holder from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an entertainment docking system. Moreparticularly, it relates to an entertainment docking system thatprovides multiple entertainment amenities in an organized and accessiblefashion. The system provides customers with a convenient all-in-onesolution that simplifies the task of dispensing and supplying itemsduring populated events, such as games, outdoor activities or homeparties.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an entertainment docking system 10 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Thesystem 10 includes a base 12 which serves as both a base of the dockingsystem 10 and as a cooling unit. Preferably, the base 12 is thermallyinsulated and forms an ice or cooling insulated chest with a closedlower end 14 and an open upper end 16. The base 12 is preferablyconstructed out of light weight synthetic rubber polymers or plastics,however other materials are also contemplated.

A shaft 18 is positioned and located in the center of the base 12 and issecured to base lower end 14 and extends upwardly approximately three tofive feet from the base. Other lengths are also contemplated by thedisclosure. The shaft is preferably tapered and has a plurality ofprotrusions or tabs 19 which serve as a twisting and rotating lockingfeature in cooperation with recesses in tray and holder openings.

A plate or lid 20 for the base forms an airtight seal around the openupper end 16 of the base 12 and helps to maintain an isothermalenvironment for holding ice or anything else that needs to remain coolor chilled. The lid 20 preferably has a twist and lock style opening 22having recesses 23 therein formed in the center of the lid for matinglyengaging the tabs 19 of taper lock shaft 18. The lid 20 is placed on anupper end of the taper lock shaft 18, lowered down to upper open end 16of the base 12, and twisted or rotated to form an airtight seal withboth the shaft 18 and the lid 20 of base 12. A friction fit styleopening on the lid 20 is also contemplated to form an airtight seal.When access to the inner contents of the base or ice chest 12 isdesired, the lid 20 is translated or upwardly moved along the taper lockshaft 18 to provide access, and then translated or downwardly movedalong the taper lock shaft 18 to re-establish an airtight seal betweenthe lid and the base.

An upper tray 30 has a twist and lock style opening 32 having ridges orrecesses 33 therein which is formed in the center of the tray forengaging the taper lock shaft 18. The tray 30 can serve as an ash tray,or card tray or to hold any other suitable items. The tray 30 is placedor inserted onto an upper end of the taper lock shaft 18 and loweredinto position and twisted or rotated to keep its position fixed alongthe shaft 18. A friction fit style opening is also contemplated tosecure the ash tray 30. The tray 30 is preferably constructed out oflightweight synthetic rubber polymers or plastic, however othermaterials are also contemplated. The tray 30 may include an insertablevegetable or condiment tray liner 34 which can be removably insertedinto the tray 30. The vegetable tray liner 34 can also hold ice to helpkeep food cooled.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an upper or top holder 40 has a twist and lockstyle opening 42 with recesses 43 therein formed in the center forengaging upper end of the taper lock shaft 18. The holder 40 is placedon upper end of the taper lock shaft 18 and twisted or rotated to keepits position fixed on the upper end of the shaft 18. A friction fitstyle opening is also contemplated to secure the holder 40. The holder40 can include a raised and tapered center 44 which facilitates theaddition of other entertainment amenities on the holder 40 above theshaft 18. The holder 40 is also fabricated from light weight rubberpolymers or plastic.

Referring to FIG. 2, an optional insert 46 having recesses 47 thereincan be positioned and located in the center of the holder 40 such as forinserting and securing an umbrella within the raised and tapered center44. An umbrella may be secured in the insert 46 by either a twist andlock or friction fit style seal. Four removable and releasable insulateddrink holder inserts 48 are also illustrated, which are preferably madefrom lightweight materials that are suitable for thermal insulation. Theholder inserts 48 are simply lifted into and out of openings 49 inholder 40. Openings 49 are formed in projecting arms 51. Four arms 51are shown, but other numbers of arms are contemplated by the disclosure.Arms 51 are shown to have rounded edges 53, but other shapes arecontemplated. More or less than four drink holder inserts 48 are alsocontemplated by the disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the holder 40 from FIG. 1 is illustrated in atop plan view with the raised and tapered center 44, the umbrella holderinsert 46, four removable drink holder inserts 48, and four pockets orholders 50 for cigarettes, score cards, playing cards, or the like. Thepocketed holders 50 are shown as rectangular but other shapes arecontemplated by the disclosure. More or less than four drink holders 48or pocketed holders 50 are also contemplated by the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the holder 40 from FIG. 1 is illustrated in aside elevational view. The twist-and-lock style opening 42 for engagingthe taper lock shaft 18 is located at a bottom center portion 52 of theholder 40. The taper lock shaft 18 is inserted through the opening 42,however, the shaft preferably does not continue past the vertical heightor upper end 54 of the holder 40, stopping or terminating before theraised and tapered center 44. An unobstructed raised and tapered center44 allows for the addition of entertainment amenities above the upperholder 40. A rounded or curved edge 60 located on the outer periphery ofthe drink holder inserts 48 provides an exemplary location for placinglogos or symbols.

Although not shown in the foregoing Figures, it is intended that theentertainment docking system 10 can take on multiple embodimentsdepending on its intended use. For instance, common party amenities suchas condiments, topical gels, sun glasses, towels, electric appliances,or the like, may in combination or on their own, be located on aseparate support structure fixed along the taper lock shaft 18. Coolerclimates may call for heating rather than cooling of items held withinthe docking system 10. The system is also contemplated to be used atnight with lighting attached thereto. Also, the system may be usedindoors such as to store pool sticks.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An entertainment docking system, comprising: a base having an upperend and a lower end; a post having an upper end and a lower endextending from said lower end of said base wherein said lower end ofsaid post is removably secured to said lower end of said base; a trayremovably mounted to said post at a position above said base; and aholder removably mounted to said upper end of said post above said tray.2. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, comprising: a plateremovably secured to said upper end of said base forming a lid.
 3. Theentertainment docking system of claim 2, wherein said plate has anopening with recesses therein for receiving said post.
 4. Theentertainment docking system of claim 3, wherein said tray has anopening with recesses for receiving said post.
 5. The entertainmentdocking system of claim 4 wherein said holder has an opening withrecesses for receiving said posts.
 6. The entertainment docking systemof claim 5, wherein said post has protrusions to form a lockingmechanism with said recesses of said openings of said plate, said trayand said holder.
 7. The entertainment docking system of claim 6, whereinsaid post is tapered to facilitate installation of said plate, said trayand said holder onto.
 8. The entertainment docking system of claim 1,wherein said base is thermally insulated.
 9. The entertainment dockingsystem of claim 1, wherein said tray further comprises a removable trayliner.
 10. The entertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein saidbase is fabricated from synthetic rubber or plastic material.
 11. Theentertainment docking system of claim 1, wherein said tray is fabricatedfrom synthetic rubber or plastic material.
 12. The entertainment dockingsystem of claim 1, wherein said holder is fabricated from syntheticrubber or plastic material.
 13. The entertainment docking system ofclaim 1, wherein said holder has a raised center portion.
 14. Theentertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprisesan insert with recesses therein for receiving an umbrella.
 15. Theentertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprisesa plurality of arms having openings therein.
 16. The entertainmentdocking system of claim 15, wherein said holder comprises removableinserts received by said openings of said arms.
 17. The entertainmentdocking system of claim 16 wherein said arms have rounded edges.
 18. Theentertainment docking system of claim 13, wherein said holder comprisespockets for receiving cards or other items.
 19. The entertainmentdocking system of claim 18, wherein said pockets are substantiallyrectangular in configuration.
 20. An entertainment docking systemcomprising: a base; a tapered locking shaft having twist and lock ridgesformed thereon wherein said shaft has a lower end secured to said base;a tray removably attached to said shaft having mounting twist and lockopenings having recesses therein which cooperate with said twist andlock ridges of said shaft; and a holder removably attached to an upperend of said shaft having mating twist and lock openings having recessestherein which cooperate with said twist and lock ridges of said shaft.